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Why the stipulation of using the Arduino IDE, and not the Arduino hardware?

I see that the new Arduino contest rules stipulate that your project must use the Arduino IDE. I was actually thinking of making a cool new Instructable using an Arduino Mega, but using avr-gcc instead of the Arduino "framework". Would that be permissible for entry into this contest?

23 comments
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Oct 1, 2009. 2:16 PMjarv34 says:
the arduino IDE is a neat little IDE for quick prototypes. It's nice for lowering the bar for hobbyists interested in microcontrollers. You will run into issues however if you need any special compile options for avr-gcc, also you may need to tweak the preferences file if you need to use a special clock setting or anything like that. It also may lock you into using the arduino libs (not sure about that one) which may limit your hardware choice if you are trying to conserve flash memory.
Oct 1, 2009. 2:55 PMoskay says:
Our motivation was to make sure that no one had to make any particular purchase (or any purchase at all) to participate in the contest. The restriction puts bounds on the contest, but still leaves a lot of hardware options open. If you'll notice, purely software projects, even modifications to the Arduino IDE (for example, adding a method to use your own compile options) can be entered.
Oct 2, 2009. 2:48 AMcyberoidx says:
So Could we make it using an Atmega128 or Atmega16? We're students from India and have development boards, but then we code in C using avr - gcc. Could we apply for this, or will we have to port to arduino?
Nov 15, 2009. 10:14 AMwillrandship says:
You can use ANYTHING that uses the arduino's language. That means if you can use the language found on the arduino.cc website on it, it is eligible.
Oct 3, 2009. 1:09 AMjames.mcglashan says:
instructables links to teh makershed and the makershed sells the arduino
Oct 1, 2009. 12:28 PMKiteman says:
You need to ask this as a comment on the contest announcement.
Oct 2, 2009. 4:26 PMDeathstick says:
Yeah, I tried to post a comment on another contest and couldn't figure it out either. You would think that they would make it easier for us simpletons!
Oct 1, 2009. 12:57 PMoskay says:
If it can be done in AVR-GCC, then you can (almost always) copy and paste your code into the Arduino IDE and run it there. You know, stuff in main before the main loop goes into setup() and stuff in the main loop goes in loop(), etc.

That's how I write most of my "Arduino" code, anyway. ;)
?
Oct 2, 2009. 5:19 AMjeff-o says:
Perhaps you should think about scaling back your project and saving it for a bigger contest with a longer due date. But, what you've got planned sounds like something amazing!
Oct 2, 2009. 4:39 PMDeathstick says:
That sounds like an atrocious idea! I think that short deadlines and stressed resources are what turn a contest like this one into something magical!

I say the bigger, more difficult projects are what give this contest validity and 'mat_the_w' should smash his competitors with his mighty brain! :D
Oct 2, 2009. 6:28 PMjeff-o says:
Yeah, you're right. Show us what you've got!
Oct 2, 2009. 7:58 PMDeathstick says:
The votes are in mat_the_w and you have been selected to do-the-damn-thing! Do you accept this challenge?

Full Disclosure: I'm fresh off of a win and am ready to take the bull by the horns and crush you all! I'm still trying to figure out what open source is but I guess you have to start somewhere! :D
Oct 2, 2009. 8:02 PMjeff-o says:
It means the code is available to the public, to view and edit as they wish.
Oct 2, 2009. 9:18 PMDeathstick says:
My attempt at a joke, Jeff-o!
Oct 5, 2009. 9:15 AMjeff-o says:
Now that clown is funny! LOL.
Oct 5, 2009. 8:21 AMM4industries says:
Hehe I've been looking for a picture like that
Oct 1, 2009. 1:05 PMikestarm17 says:
what does Arduino IDE mean?
Oct 1, 2009. 1:08 PMReCreate says:
The arduino Program(aka-integrated development environment), The program the program's the micro-controller...
Oct 1, 2009. 1:42 PMikestarm17 says:
ok thanks
Oct 1, 2009. 4:09 PMReCreate says:
Your welcome ;)
Oct 1, 2009. 2:14 PMwillrandship says:
One thing I think they're avoiding by stipulating the software and not the hardware is people who want to use unofficial equipment, such as the sanguino. by limiting the software, they still allow the unofficial but still in essence "arduino" hardware. Plus, that way anyone who has an arduino doesn't have to modify the source code.

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